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Windshield fluid

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Nalgask, May 16, 2019.

  1. Nalgask

    Nalgask New Member

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    What type of windshield wiper fluid does the 2015 PRIUS C ONE take? A good premium fluid not some cheap water that does nothing, anyone know?
     
  2. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Rain-X Bug Remover Windshield Washer Fluid - Walmart.com
    $2.77 a gallon.
    $0.50 more expensive per gallon than gas.....but it's pretty good stuff.

    ETC(SS) law of Walmart:
    "All roads lead to Walmart, and are filled with road rage about Walmart."

    I use the Rain-X because it's widely available and effective.....and if it were harmful to the car in any way then the interwebs would be log-jammed with stories about it.

    YMMV
     
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  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I'm just not imagining that this car could need a different washer fluid than any other car.
     
  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I don't think there is any specific "type"....you're talking about brand names here.
    IMO and in my usage, windshield wiper fluid is very, very cheap.
    Therefore I usually go for Rain X, as opposed to a generic store bought fluid. I used Rain-X with my Prius, and I continue to use it with my Honda Fit. It works fine IMO.

    What I'm looking for is something that doesn't freeze in the winter....that I can also continue to use in the summer...or year round. Rain-X fits that bill, and it supposedly adds a bit of rain-x water beading.

    Even at this level it's overthinking it.
    You're fine with probably any store bought brand.
     
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Why do people obsess over insignificant C**P these days ?
    Does anybody know ??

    The pre-mixed blue stuff for about $2 a gallon at WalMart will be more than good enough........for ANY car or truck.
    Really it will.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Any freeze protected fluid should be ok. I've been getting Toyota's, $3.99 CDN for 4 liters.

    IMG_0500.JPG
     
  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I agree that if you're doing much of anything more than just picking up a jug at any automobile aisle, you're probably overthinking it.
    BUT...
    Just google "Make Your Own Windshield Fluid" and you'll find several youtube videos where people are going to all the trouble of mixing their own self made fluid.
    Which given the inexpensive nature of the product just seems like a waste of time to me.
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    One thing, I would avoid "summer" fluid, the stuff without freeze-protection. Unless you're using copious amounts, it'll still be in there come winter.
     
  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Do you REALLY see "summer" stuff in Canada ?
    I live in Florida and don't think I could find that if I actually tried.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  11. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    …just remember to steer away from anything that contains Hydrofluoric Acid! :eek: ;):)
     
  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    It is probably the same "protects from freezing down to 32F" stuff that my spouse found here. :rolleyes: Except labeled in metric, not Imperial.

    And that was +32, not -32F.
     
  13. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    So that would be colored plain water.......right ??
     
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd speculate summer fluid is water with a surfactant (aka soap). Plus maybe a wee bit of alcohol, just to help clean bugs?
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, May 17, 2019
    Last edited: May 17, 2019
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  15. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Must be bit more than just water + soap to be able to claim "exclusive patent" on the formula. LOL:LOL:
    BTW, winter blend is usually mixed with methanol to lower the freezing point, but in order to sell it as non-flammable, it has to be less than certain percentage. The highest contents is ~40% methanol which protect from freezing down to -40 F (or -40C).

    prestone summer.png
     
    #15 Salamander_King, May 17, 2019
    Last edited: May 17, 2019
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  16. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    That is why they use a 'surfactant', not just a 'detergent' or even mere 'soap'. ;)
     
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